NEWS RELEASE
Outdoor Outreach Announces Kick Off of Outdoor Adventure Club Sponsorship Program
SAN DIEGO, Calif., November 14, 2003 Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high-quality outdoor programs for at-risk youth, today announced the kick-off of the Outdoor Adventure Club Sponsorship Program.
"The Outdoor Adventure Club Sponsorship Program was created to encourage local businesses to sponsor a local Outdoor Adventure Club," said Chris Rutgers, founder and executive director of Outdoor Outreach. "It's a terrific cost-effective way for local businesses to show community support and to invest in the future of the children in their communities."
The Outdoor Adventure Club is designed to introduce children to the outdoors and outdoor activities in order to help them build friendships and self-esteem as they overcome athletic challenges. Outdoor Adventure Clubs are created in inner-city neighborhoods of San Diego to reach at-risk/low-income youth.
Club participants are able to choose and help plan trips from all of the Outdoor Outreach program offerings. Trips include Rock Climbing, Surfing, Snowboarding, Hiking, Camping, and Marine Science Education/Snorkeling.
The ownership of the club lies with the children. It affords them the opportunity to determine how the club will grow by allowing them active participation in the club structure. Volunteers from local businesses, Outdoor Outreach, and parents are there to guide and mentor the children in making the club their own.
There are several successful Outdoor Adventure Clubs in place now, including the City Heights Outdoor Adventure Club (formed in partnership with the Sudanese English Project), the Toussaint Teen Center Outdoor Adventure Club, and the Hoover High School Outdoor Adventure Club.
"There are plans for 2 more clubs to be formed this year," said Chris Rutgers, director for Outdoor Outreach. "We are looking for corporate, foundation and individual support to help us to make this happen."
To learn more about Outdoor Outreach's corporate giving opportunities, please contact Chris Rutgers at (619) 238-5970.
Outdoor Outreach is a California Non-Profit Organization committed to providing an opportunity for all children to gain confidence and self-esteem through participation in outdoor activities. This organization is founded on the belief that offering young people a chance to enjoy responsible recreation in the outdoors brings them experiences that will make positive, lasting changes in their lives. Outdoor Outreach welcomes all children, but is especially committed to providing intensive outdoor experiences to at-risk and underprivileged youth. We work together with a wide variety of programs in an effort to reach the at-risk/low income youth population of San Diego County. Program Partners include drug rehabilitation programs, inner-city boys and girls clubs, inner-city public schools, residential boys homes, and several programs within the juvenile justice system. Since it's founding in 2001, Outdoor Outreach has taken over 850 kids on over 275 trips averaging 60-70 kids per month.
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